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Collins was just 16 years old in 2008 when he gunned down Fresnel Atilus in his ice cream truck in Lake Park. Atilus was a hard-working immigrant from Haiti who left behind six children and a pregnant wife, his loved ones said.

Prosecutors argued Collins shot Atilus in a planned, cold-blooded execution in retaliation because Atilus was a witness in a different incident. The defense countered that it was a robbery by an immature, impulsive kid.

The judge said based on Collins’ criminal history and continued violence against other inmates and correctional deputies following his arrest, he did not think Collins could be rehabilitated.

The defense plans to appeal, arguing that case law does not allow such a young offender to be sentenced to life without parole.

Atilus’ brother told the courtroom that he was upset the previously convicted getaway driver had been released and had his charges dropped due to a technicality involving the reading of Miranda rights.

A third suspect escaped to the Bahamas and has not been apprehended. After the sentencing, Atilus' brother told WPBF that justice had been served.